Trends in Science and Engineering Education and the U.S. Labor Market. Background Paper No. 3.

Finn, Michael G.

A search of literature was conducted to address whether and how the Federal Government should do more to encourage U.S. students to complete degrees, especially graduate degrees, in science and engineering. Science was defined to include all of natural science, including mathematics and computer science, but to exclude social and behavioral sciences. The study found that the number of U.S. citizens earning doctorates in science and engineering in 1987 was 9,724. This number is not enough to replace scientists and engineers who die or retire, but the number is greatly augmented by foreign residents who receive doctorates and remain in the United States. The level of science and engineering doctorate awards to U.S. citizens has been constant since 1976. Until now, the number of degrees awarded has usually been sufficient to meet employment needs, with the labor market expanding and contracting and student enrollments following suit, after a lag. However, although shortages are not widespread at present, there are general persistent shortages of personnel in computer science and engineering, and sometimes in mathematics and environmental and physical sciences. Federal intervention in the science and engineering job market can be made through graduate fellowships and traineeships, research assistanceships, forgivable loans, precollege programs, tax incentives, undergraduate assistance, and employee educational assistance, but such intervention has both pros and cons. (59 references) (KC)